Patent application title: Mobility Traction Control System and Method

Abstract:

A system and method for vehicle mobility traction/ride control. The system
includes a mode controller configured to output control signals to a
variety of vehicle control subsystems in response to operator mode
selection input.

Claims:

1. A method for determining vehicle ride characteristics corresponding to
user selectable vehicle control modes, comprising:receiving a user input
to initiate a determination of at least one vehicle ride
characteristic;outputting a control signal to configure a ride height
vehicle subsystem according to one of said user-selectable vehicle
control modes;receiving a first input indicative of a chassis height with
respect to at least one axle when said vehicle subsystem is configured
according to said one user-selectable vehicle control mode, and a second
input indicative of a weight on at least one axle when said vehicle
subsystem is configured according to said one user-selectable vehicle
control mode; anddetermining said at least one vehicle ride
characteristic based on said first and second inputs.

2. (canceled)

3. A method for determining vehicle ride characteristics corresponding to
user selectable vehicle control modes according to claim 1, wherein said
receiving occurs in response to a user selection entered using at least a
first keypad.

4. (canceled)

5. A method for determining vehicle ride characteristics corresponding to
user selectable vehicle control modes according to claim 1, further
comprising:controlling said vehicle in one of said user selectable
vehicle control modes using a controller, further comprising the steps
of:controlling at least one vehicle ride characteristic;selecting a
vehicle control mode in the controller using at least a first input
keypad;communicating vehicle ride information to the user; andcontrolling
the operation of at least one vehicle ride characteristic with the
controller.

6. A method for determining vehicle ride characteristics corresponding to
user selectable vehicle control modes according to claim 1, wherein said
at least one vehicle ride characteristic is used to control said ride
height vehicle subsystem.

7. A system for determining vehicle ride characteristics corresponding to
user selectable vehicle modes, comprising:input means for receiving a
user input to initiate a determination of at least one vehicle ride
characteristic;means for outputting a control signal to configure a ride
height vehicle subsystem according to one of said user-selectable vehicle
modes;means for receiving a first input indicative of a chassis height
with respect to at least one axle when said vehicle subsystem is
configured according to said one user-selectable vehicle mode, and a
second input indicative of a weight on at least one axle when said
vehicle subsystem is configured according to said one user-selectable
vehicle mode; andmeans for determining said at least one vehicle ride
characteristic based on said first and second inputs;wherein said
user-selectable vehicle modes includes a min ride height control mode,
and wherein said means for outputting a control signal is configured, in
response to receiving a corresponding user input via said input means, to
lower a ride height of the vehicle.

8. (canceled)

9. (canceled)

10. (canceled)

11. A system for modifying vehicle ride characteristics based on user
input, comprising:a vehicle mode controller;a user input apparatus
coupled to the vehicle mode controller, said user input apparatus
including at least a first keypad said first keypad including means for
receiving user selection of a min ride height mode and a max ride height
mode; andat least one vehicle subsystem controlled by the vehicle mode
controller, said at least one vehicle subsystem including a ride height
adjustment system, wherein said first keypad receives a selection of a
user-selectable vehicle ride control mode,said vehicle mode controller
outputs control information to said at least one vehicle subsystem based
on said selected vehicle ride control mode,

16. A method for determining vehicle ride characteristics corresponding to
user selectable vehicle control modes according to claim 1, wherein said
outputting a control signal is operable to configure a ride height
vehicle subsystem to one of a max ride height and a min ride height.

17. A method for determining vehicle ride characteristics corresponding to
user selectable vehicle control modes according to claim 3, wherein said
first keypad includes means for receiving user selection of a min ride
height mode and a max ride height mode.

18. A method for determining vehicle ride characteristics corresponding to
user selectable vehicle control modes according to claim 17, wherein said
first keypad further includes means for receiving user selection of an on
road mode, a hard pack snow ice mode, an off road mode, a deep mud mode,
a deep sand mode, a fording mode, a low range mode, a tow neutral mode, a
high range mode, and a tire deflation mode.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein said first keypad further includes
means for receiving user selection of an on road mode, a hard pack snow
ice mode, an off road mode, a deep mud mode, a deep sand mode, a fording
mode, a low range mode, a tow neutral mode, a high range mode, and a tire
deflation mode.

20. The system of claim 7, wherein said input means is further constructed
for receiving user selection of an on road mode, a hard pack snow ice
mode, an off road mode, a deep mud mode, a deep sand mode, a fording
mode, a low range mode, a tow neutral mode, a high range mode, and a tire
deflation mode.

21. A method for determining vehicle ride characteristics corresponding to
user selectable vehicle control modes according to claim 3, wherein said
receiving occurs in response to a user selection entered using said one
of said first keypad and a second keypad, said first keypad including
means for receiving user selection of a min ride height mode and a max
ride height mode.

23. The system of claim 11, further comprising a second keypad that
includes means for receiving user selection of a hybrid mode, a
pre-electric vehicle (ev) mode, an electric vehicle mode, emergency
flashers, backup alarm override mode, reset fuel cutoff, vehicle strobe,
work lights, high idle, a trailer (CT) center of gravity calculation, a
vehicle (UV) center of gravity calculation, and a master override.

24. The system of claim 7, wherein said input means further comprises a
second keypad that includes means for receiving user selection of a
hybrid mode, a pre-electric vehicle (ev) mode, an electric vehicle mode,
emergency flashers, backup alarm override mode, reset fuel cutoff,
vehicle strobe, work lights, high idle, a trailer (CT) center of gravity
calculation, a vehicle (UV) center of gravity calculation, and a master
override.

25. A computer-readable medium upon which is encoded a sequence of
instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to
perform operations for determining vehicle ride characteristics
corresponding to user selectable vehicle control modes,
comprising:receiving a user input to initiate a determination of at least
one vehicle ride characteristic;outputting a control signal to configure
a vehicle subsystem according to one of said user-selectable vehicle
control modes;receiving a first input indicative of a chassis height with
respect to at least one axle when said vehicle subsystem is configured
according to said one user-selectable vehicle control mode, and a second
input indicative of a weight on at least one axle when said vehicle
subsystem is configured according to said one user-selectable vehicle
control mode; anddetermining said at least one vehicle ride
characteristic based on said first and second inputs.

26. The computer-readable medium according to claim 25, further comprising
repeating said outputting, said receiving, and said determining for each
remaining user selectable vehicle control mode.

27. The computer-readable medium according to claim 25, wherein said
receiving occurs in response to a user selection entered using at least a
first keypad.

28. The computer-readable medium according to claim 25, wherein said at
least one vehicle ride characteristic is one of a three-dimensional
center of gravity of said vehicle and said weight on at least one axle.

29. The computer-readable medium according to claim 28, further
comprising:controlling said vehicle in one of said user selectable
vehicle control modes using a controller, further comprising the steps
of:controlling at least one vehicle ride characteristic;calculating the
three-dimensional vehicle center of gravity;selecting a vehicle control
mode in the controller using at least said first keypad;communicating
vehicle ride information to the user; andcontrolling the operation of at
least one vehicle ride characteristic with the controller.

30. The computer-readable medium according to claim 25, wherein said at
least one vehicle ride characteristic is used to control one or more
vehicle subsystems selected from the group consisting of: a central tire
inflation system, an active damper system, and a chassis management
system.

31. The computer-readable medium according to claim 25, wherein said
outputting a control signal to configure a vehicle subsystem according to
one of said user-selectable vehicle control modes comprises outputting a
control signal to configure a ride height vehicle subsystem.

32. The computer-readable medium according to claim 31, wherein said
outputting a control signal operable to configure a ride height vehicle
subsystem is operable to configure the ride height vehicle subsystem to
one of a max ride height and a min ride height.

33. The computer-readable medium according to claim 27, wherein said first
keypad includes means for receiving user selection of a min ride height
mode and a max ride height mode.

34. The computer-readable medium according to claim 33, wherein said first
keypad further includes means for receiving user selection of an on road
mode, a hard pack snow ice mode, an off road mode, a deep mud mode, a
deep sand mode, a fording mode, a low range mode, a tow neutral mode, a
high range mode, and a tire deflation mode.

35. The computer-readable medium according to claim 34, wherein said
receiving occurs in response to a user selection entered using said one
of said first keypad and a second keypad, said first keypad including
means for receiving user selection of a min ride height mode and a max
ride height mode.

Description:

[0001]The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/798,713, entitled "Mobility Traction Control System
and Method," filed May 9, 2006, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
Patent Application No. 11/430,771, filed May 9, 2006, which are hereby
incorporated by reference.

[0003]FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of a traction control system
according to various embodiments;

[0004]FIG. 2 is a general illustration of an input apparatus according to
various embodiments;

[0005]FIG. 3 is an illustration of an input apparatus according to various
embodiments;

[0006]FIG. 4 is another illustration of an input apparatus according to
various embodiments;

[0007]FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a mode control table for outputting
control information to vehicle subsystems associated with various
mobility modes according to various embodiments;

[0008]FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a ride control method according to various
embodiments;

[0009]FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a traction control method according to
various embodiments; and

[0010]FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a traction control method according to
various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011]Embodiments are directed generally to a system and method for
vehicle ride and/or traction control. In particular, various embodiments
can comprise a mode controller configured to output control signals to a
variety of vehicle subsystems in response to operator mode selection
inputs.

[0012]With respect to FIG. 1, there is shown a mobility traction control
system 100 according to various embodiments. Mobility traction control
system 100 can be implemented in any suitable mobile vehicle (vehicle not
shown). As shown in FIG. 1, various embodiments mobility traction control
system 100 may comprise a mode controller 101, at least one input
apparatus 102, a communication apparatus 103, a load master interface
109, and a plurality of vehicle subsystems, which can include, for
example, a ride height subsystem 104; a differential subsystem,
including, for example, differentials 105, 106, and 107; a central tire
inflation subsystem (CTIS) 108; an air bag pressure monitoring subsystem
110; an anti-lock braking subsystem (ABS) 111; a stability control
subsystem 112; and a tire pressure subsystem 113. In various embodiments,
ride height subsystem 104, differential subsystem (105, 106, and 107),
central tire inflation subsystem (CTIS) 108, air bag pressure monitoring
subsystem 110, anti-lock braking subsystem (ABS) 111, stability control
subsystem 112 (which may include an active damper control subsystem 114
and a chassis management system 115), and tire pressure subsystem 113 can
be conventional over-the-counter subsystems (COTS). In various
embodiments, each of the differentials 105-107 may be a controllable
differential having at least two states of operation: a locked state in
which the differential transmits drive force to both of its wheels
regardless of rotation resistance, and an open state in which the
differential transmits drive force to the wheel experiencing the least
rotation resistance. In various embodiments, a third state of operation
can be provided in which the differential does not transmit drive force
to its wheels (for example, free-wheeling or disengaged). In addition to
the subsystems shown in FIG. 1, ride control system 100 can include any
suitable ride control subsystems. In various embodiments, the load master
interface 109 can comprise a physical input/output device (such as, for
example, a keyboard and display) accessible to a human load master, an
electronic or optical communication interface operably couples to an
automata or computer-implemented load master, or a combination thereof.

[0013]In various embodiments, mode controller 101 can be coupled to input
apparatus 102, communication apparatus 103, load master interface 109,
and the vehicle subsystems, including vehicle subsystems not explicitly
shown in FIG. 1. Mode controller 101 can be any suitable controller. In
various embodiments, mode controller 101 can comprise mode control logic
including a plurality of programmable hardware components. Alternatively,
mode controller 101 can comprise a processor such as, but not limited to,
a microprocessor, microcontroller, or microcomputer. The mode controller
101 can execute a sequence of programmed instructions. The instructions
can be compiled from source code instructions provided in accordance with
a programming language such as C++. The instructions can also comprise
code and data objects provided in accordance with, for example, the
Visual Basic® language, or another object-oriented programming
language. In various embodiments, mode controller 101 may comprise an
Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) including hard-wired
circuitry designed to perform traction and/or ride control operations
described herein.

[0014]In various embodiments, mode controller 101 may communicate with
input apparatus 102, communication apparatus 103, load master interface
109, and the vehicle subsystems in any suitable manner. Communication can
be facilitated by, for example, a vehicle data/command serial bus. In
various embodiments, the interface can comprise, for example, a parallel
data/command bus, or may include one or more discrete inputs and outputs.
As one example, mode controller 101 can communicate with input apparatus
102 and/or the vehicle subsystems 104-115 using a J1939 bus. As another
example, in various embodiments, mode controller 101 may receive status
information from load master interface 109 and air bag pressure
monitoring system 110. In various embodiments, operator mode and/or
setting selection input information from, for example, keypad 202, in the
form of one or more digital status words in which various bit fields of
each status word contain status information for a particular device or
subsystem.

[0015]In various embodiments, mode controller 101 can be configured to
receive any suitable inputs from input apparatus 102, load master
interface 109, and air bag pressure monitoring system 110, as well as to
send outputs, such as audio or visual information to communication
apparatus 103 and visual information to input apparatus 102. Outputs sent
from ride controller 101 to input apparatus 102 can be any suitable
outputs such as, for example, data, mode information, subsystem status
information, or warning information. Mode controller 101 can also output
any suitable data or control signal to load master interface 109.

[0016]Other subsystem interfaces are possible. Although this embodiment
describes discrete vehicle ride and traction modes and/or settings, it
may also be possible in another embodiment for the user or the controller
to control various settings individually. In another embodiment, it may
also be possible to change system settings, such as tire pressure,
continuously.

[0017]In various embodiments, mode controller 101 may output control
signals to one or more vehicle subsystems 104-115. For example, mode
controller 101 may output control signals to ride height adjustment
system 104, differentials 105-107, Central Tire Inflation System (CTIS)
108, load master interface 109, anti-lock braking subsystem 111, and
stability control subsystem 112, including active damper control 113 and
chassis management system 114. In various embodiments, other or
additional vehicle control subsystems may be implemented, including, but
not limited to, a differential control subsystem, a rollover control
subsystem, a propulsion control subsystem, an active steering subsystem,
a transmission control subsystem, a slope control subsystem, and a
descent control subsystem, etc. In various embodiments, mode controller
101 can output control signals to subsystems 104-115 in the form of one
or more digital control words in which the contents of the various bit
fields of each control word contain command parameter information that is
received and interpreted by a particular device or subsystem as a command
or mode selection parameter or setting for the subsystem. In various
embodiments, mode controller 101 can output control signals to one or
more of subsystems 104-115 to set the subsystems to a particular state in
response to receiving an operator input for a particular mobility
traction control mode and/or setting via input apparatus 102.

[0018]In various other embodiments, mode controller 101 may collect data
from sensors (not shown) associated with one or more of the vehicle
subsystems. The received data may be used to modify or optimize selected
traction and/or ride modes or settings. The data may also be used to
automatically shift traction and/or ride modes or settings when
desirable. As an example, in at least one embodiment, a user may select,
using input apparatus 102, an "off-road" mode of operation. After an
initial off-road mode setting mode controller 101 may receive data from
one or more sensor indicating, for example, rotational tire slip, and
therefore decrease tire pressure or decrease suspension damping to
improve vehicle subsystems' performances in the selected mode.

[0019]Furthermore, in various embodiments, mode controller 101 can
comprise an interface to a trailer (not shown) towed by the vehicle,
including monitoring and control of trailer ride height, axle weight and
tire pressures based on trailer axle loads. In various embodiments, a
three-dimensional center of gravity and axle weight of the trailer is
calculated.

[0020]As discussed above, in various embodiments, communication apparatus
103 can be coupled to mode controller 101, and can be used to communicate
information and/or data to a user. In various embodiments, communication
apparatus 103 can be any suitable communication apparatus, including, but
not limited to, an audio apparatus, such as a speaker, or a visual
apparatus, such as a heads-up display, a touch screen display, light
emitting diodes, etc. In various embodiments, communication apparatus 103
can be a combination of more than one audio and/or visual communication
apparatuses. In FIG. 1, for example, the communication apparatus 103 is
shown as an audio speaker.

[0021]Still referring to FIG. 1, in various embodiments, input apparatus
102 can be coupled to mode controller 101, and can send and receive data
and information to and from mode controller 101. In various embodiments,
input apparatus 102 can receive an input from any suitable means,
including, but not limited to, a user's "physical" input, an input
transmitted from a source remote input apparatus 102, such as by a
wireless communication device or an audible command from the user. Input
apparatus 102 can be located at any suitable position in the vehicle, for
example, on the vehicle interior dashboard. According to various
embodiments, input apparatus 102 can be used to select and deselect
vehicle ride traction and/or modes or settings. Input apparatus 102 may
be configured as any suitable input apparatus, including, but not limited
to, a keypad or a plurality of keypads. In various embodiments, the
keypad can receive user input by any suitable means. For example, keypad
may use buttons, switches, levers, knobs, an interactive Liquid Crystal
Display (LCD), etc. as a means to receive a user's input.

[0022]In various embodiments, the input apparatus 102 can comprise one or
more keypads 202. FIG. 2 is a general illustration of a keypad 202
according to various embodiments. As shown in FIG. 2, keypad 202 can
include a plurality of selectable entries. In various embodiments, the
entries may be representative of, for example, user-selectable traction
and/or riding modes or settings. For example, in FIG. 2, keypad 202 may
include "n" number of mode selections, where "n" is a number greater than
or equal to one. In the example shown in FIG. 2, a user may select a
particular vehicle traction and/or ride mode or setting via the
corresponding user-controllable input means 204 on keypad 202.
User-controllable input means 204 may be configured as, but not limited
to, buttons, switches, levers, knobs, an interactive Liquid Crystal
Display (LCD), etc. The keypad 202 shown in FIG. 2, for example, has
fifteen user-controllable input means 204, however, any suitable number
of user-controllable input means 204 may be implemented. In various
embodiments, keypad 202 can send data and/or information to mode
controller 101 based on the selected mode (or setting).

[0023]FIGS. 3 and 4 show keypads 202a and 202b, respectively, according to
various embodiments. In various embodiments, keypad 202 can include one
or more keypads, such as keypads 202a and 202b, each of which can include
one or more user-controllable input means 204, and associated indicia,
corresponding to a plurality of user-selectable (and de-selectable)
vehicle ride modes, settings, and/or command identifiers. In various
embodiments, keypad 202 can include any suitable mode selection
identifier, such as, but not limited to, a hybrid mode, a pre-ev mode, an
electric vehicle mode, an on-road mode, a hard pack snow ice mode, an off
road mode, a deep mud mode, a deep sand mode, a fording mode. In
addition, keypad 202 according to various embodiments can include any
suitable setting or command identifier, such as, but not limited to, an
emergency flashers setting, a backup alarm override, a reset fuel cutoff,
a vehicle strobe, a work light setting, a high idle setting, a center of
gravity and axle weight calculation command, a trailer center of gravity
and axle weight calculation command, a master override command, a low
range setting, a tow neutral setting, a high range setting, a minimum
ride height setting, a maximum ride height setting, and a tire deflate
command. In various embodiments, keypad 202 can also provide a positive
indication such as, for example, a light or illumination of a button 404
or reverse background for the button 406, to indicate that a particular
mode setting is active. In various embodiments, button 404 for a
particular mode or setting can flash to indicate a change to the new mode
or setting. For example, button 404 can flash red to indicate if the
vehicle state (e.g., speed) prevents a mode change from occurring. In
various embodiments, keypad 202 can include an indicator 408. Indicator
408 can be any suitable indicator, such as, but not limited to, a light
or light emitting diode, corresponding to each button 404. Indicators 408
can indicate a selection of a corresponding button 404, that a particular
mode setting is active, or an error condition for a selected mode.

[0024]FIG. 5 shows a mode control diagram table for mode controller 101.
According to FIG. 5 mode controller 101 may be configured to output
control information to various vehicle subsystems corresponding to one of
a plurality of modes. As discussed above, in various embodiments, mode
controller 101 can output control information for modes including, but
not limited to, an on-road mode 501, a hard packed snow and ice mode 502,
a moderate off-road and snow mode 503, a deep mud mode 504, a deep sand
mode 505, an emergency/emergency reset mode 506, and a tow mode 507.
Other modes are possible. As shown in FIG. 5, for each of the modes
501-507, mode controller 101 can output control information to
predetermined vehicle subsystems to cause the vehicle control subsystems
to operate in states that cooperatively result in desired traction and/or
ride control for the corresponding mode 501-507.

[0025]For example, upon receiving an operator input via keypad 202a
indicating operator selection of on-road mode 501, mode controller 101
may output control signals and/or information to cause the front
differential to operate in the open state, the center differential to
operate in the open state, the rear differential to operate in the open
state, the anti-lock braking subsystem 111 to operate in a predetermined
mode (designated as mode 1), the stability control subsystem 112 to
operate in a predetermined mode (designated as mode 1), the ride height
subsystem 104 to be set to a predetermined height, and the tire pressure,
via the CTIS 108, to be set to a predetermined pressure corresponding to
a load associated with a vehicle load, for example, but not limited to,
26.5 psi, 44.6 psi, and 62.6 psi for light (e.g., 6,000 lbs.), medium
(e.g., 9,000 lbs.), and heavy (e.g., 12,000 lbs.) loads, respectively.
For other modes 502-507, mode controller 101 may output control
information to the vehicle subsystems to cause the vehicle control
subsystems to operate in the states as shown in FIG. 5, for example. In
various embodiments, mobility traction control system 100 can be used,
for example, for traction control of multi-wheeled vehicles such as, for
example, but not limited to, a six-wheel Human Mobility Vehicle (HMV).
However, the embodiments disclosed herein may be useful for a variety of
different vehicle types.

[0026]According to various embodiments, reset mode 506 (e.g.,
emergency/reset button) can be used when payload changes occur. Moreover,
reset mode 506 may also be initiated in response to a signal from air bag
pressure monitoring system 110. Furthermore, a mode may be provided for a
suspension air out state (not shown) in which mode controller 101 is
configured to output an audible alarm via communication apparatus 103 if
vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined threshold. Alternatively, mode
controller 101 can be configured to actively limit vehicle speed remain
at or below the predetermined threshold. Mode controller 101 can also
output an audible alarm via communicator apparatus 103 in response to a
steering input that is beyond a predetermined threshold. In various
embodiments, modes can be provided for a suspension maximum height state.

[0027]In addition, various embodiments can comprise a side slope mode in
which buttons are provided on keypad 202 that, when actuated, cause mode
controller 101 to lower one side (e.g., the upslope side) of the vehicle
to its lowest ride height setting and the other side of the vehicle
(e.g., the downslope side) to its highest setting. In various
embodiments, the side slope mode can provide additional side slope
mobility or travel capability to permit operation for an additional
amount of side slope than would be possible without the side slope mode
such as, for example, but not limited to, an additional 9.9 degrees of
side slope mobility or travel capability.

[0028]Furthermore, various embodiments can comprise a run flat mode or
scenario in which mode controller 101 can be configured, in response to
receiving an input via keypad 202, to lower the ride height or suspension
on the three corners of the vehicle relative to the corner to which the
flat tire is most nearly located, in order to reduce the weight and side
loads that would otherwise be placed on the damaged tire. This mode can
extend the operating range of the vehicle in a run flat situation.
Further description is provided in commonly-assigned U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/430,771, filed May 9, 2006, which is hereby
incorporated by reference as if set forth fully herein.

[0029]Various embodiments can also include a tow mode 507, which can be
used in conjunction with one of the other modes 502-506. For example,
other modes can be active when the vehicle is being towed. However, in
various embodiments, when tow mode 507 is active the front, center, and
rear differentials can be set to the open state, overriding any mode's
locked state specification.

[0030]In addition to the mode selection and vehicle subsystem state
information shown in FIG. 5, mobility traction/ride control system 100
may comprise additional features used for vehicle ride control, including
features useful for traction control. For example, in various
embodiments, mode controller 101 can calculate a vehicle
three-dimensional center of gravity and individual axle weights based on
one or more subsystem's configuration in a particular mode or setting. In
various embodiments, for example, the three-dimensional center of gravity
and individual axle weights can be calculated using axle weights and axle
ride heights associated with each axle for a particular mode. In various
embodiments, these calculations can be included separately or in
combinations. Moreover, mode controller 101 can output the calculated
center of gravity and axle weights values to load master interface 109,
which may send the values to CTIS 108, active damper control 114, and
chassis management system 115 for further processing. In various
embodiments, the calculated values may be stored in by any suitable means
in vehicle mobility traction/ride control system 100. In various
embodiments, keypad 202 may include a button for actuation of the center
of gravity and axle weight calculation. For example, referring back to
FIG. 4, a button labeled CT CG CALC may be designated as the button to
initiate the determination of the center of gravity and axles' weights.

[0031]FIG. 6 shows flow chart representation of a method 600 for
determining at least one vehicle mobility traction/ride characteristic.
In various embodiments, the at least one vehicle mobility traction/ride
characteristic can include a vehicle's three-dimensional center of
gravity and an individual axle weight. In this embodiment, control begins
at 602 and proceeds to 604 when an input is received to initiate a
determination of the center of gravity and axle weight calculation. In
various embodiments, system 100 may receive at input apparatus 102, a
user input, either manually or remotely, to initiate the determination of
the center of gravity and axle weight calculation. In various
embodiments, a user may initiate the determination by selecting a button
204 from keypad 202. In response to the user input, input apparatus 102
can transfer a signal indicative of the user input to mode controller
101. Control may then proceed to 606.

[0032]At 606, a control signal can be output to a vehicle subsystem, such
as a vehicle suspension system, based on one of the user-selectable
vehicle traction modes. In various embodiments, mode controller 101 can
output the control signal to a vehicle subsystem to configure the vehicle
subsystem according to the selected user-selectable vehicle traction
mode. Control may then proceed to 608.

[0033]At 608, a first signal indicative of a height of the chassis with
respect to an axle, which can be, for example, an individual height above
an axle or a combined height above multiple axles, when the vehicle is
configured according to the selected user-selectable vehicle traction
mode is received. At 608, a second signal indicative of a weight on an
axle, such as, for example, a weight on an individual axle, when the
vehicle is configured according to the selected user-selectable vehicle
traction mode is also received. In various embodiments, mode controller
101 can receive the first and second signals from any appropriate source,
including, but not limited to sensors appropriately located to determine
the height and weight with respect to the axle(s). Control may then
proceed to 610.

[0034]At 610, a determination is made of at least one of the ride
characteristics, such as the vehicle's center of gravity and the weight
on the axle(s). The determination can be made in any suitable manner,
such as, but not limited to, performing a calculation, using a look-up
table, or combinations thereof. In various embodiments, and as shown in
FIG. 6, the method determines two ride characteristics, a vehicle
three-dimensional center of gravity at 612 and a vehicle weight on axle
at 614, in parallel. As discussed above, each of these determinations may
be made by any suitable manner. In various other embodiments, however,
the vehicle mobility traction/ride characteristics may be determined
sequentially. In addition, in various other embodiments, the method may
determine only one vehicle mobility/traction ride characteristic. In
various embodiments, mode controller 101 can perform the determination.
Control may then proceed to 616.

[0035]At 616, the determined mobility traction/ride characteristics can be
transmitted and/or saved. In various embodiments, mobility traction/ride
characteristics can be transmitted to load master interface 109 and/or
saved in a memory apparatus (not shown). Memory apparatus may be any
suitable memory apparatus, such as, but not limited to ROM, PROM, EEPROM,
RAM, flash memory, etc., and may be located at any suitable position.
Control may then proceed to 618.

[0036]At 618, the method 600 may repeat 606-616 for each remaining mode.
In various embodiments, mode controller 101 determines, by any suitable
means, whether to repeat 606-616. In various embodiments, if it is
determined that 606-616 have been performed for each mode, control may
proceed to 620, where the method 600 of determining ends.

[0037]Turning to FIG. 7, this figure is a flow chart of a method 700 for
controlling one or more vehicle subsystems. In various embodiments, the
one or more vehicle subsystems may include CTIS 108, active damper
control system 114, and chassis management system 115. As seen in FIG. 7,
control may begin at 702 and proceed to 704, where an input is received
to configure the vehicle according to a user-selectable mobility
traction/ride mode. In various embodiments, system 100 may receive at
input apparatus 102 a user input, either manually or remotely, to
initiate the configuration of the vehicle according to the selected mode.
In various embodiments, a user may initiate the configuration by
selecting a button 204 from keypad 202. In response to the user input,
input apparatus 102 can transfer a signal indicative of the user input to
mode controller 101. Control may then proceed to 706.

[0038]At 706, vehicle subsystems are configured according to the mobility
traction/ride mode or setting selected by the user. In various
embodiments, mode controller 101 sends signals, including data and
information, to one or more of the vehicle subsystems to configure the
subsystems according to the selected mode and/or setting. In addition, in
various embodiments, when configuring vehicle subsystems according to the
selected mode and/or setting, previously determined mobility
traction/ride characteristics may be taken into consideration in the
configuration. Control may then proceed to 708.

[0039]At 708, the vehicle, including its subsystems, is controlled
according to the selected mobility traction/ride mode and/or setting,
which may have, in various embodiments, taken into account one or more
previously determined vehicle characteristics. Control may then proceed
to 710 where the method terminates.

[0040]FIG. 8 shows a flow chart of a mobility traction/ride control method
800 according to various embodiments. As shown in FIG. 8, mobility
traction/ride control method 800 can commence at 801. The method can
proceed to 803, at which mode controller 101 receives a mobility
traction/ride mode and/or setting selection input from, for example,
keypad 202. Control can then proceed to 805, at which mode controller 101
outputs control information to the vehicle subsystems for the selected
mobility traction/ride mode and/or selection, as shown, for example, in
FIG. 5. Control may then proceed to 807, at which the mode controller 101
determines a ride height range of travel for one of a plurality of
operating modes. Control can then proceed to 809, at which mode
controller 101 receives weight on axle information for each of a
plurality of axles. The weight on axle information can be received from
load master interface 109. Control can then proceed to 811, at which mode
controller 101 receives chassis height with respect to axle (i.e., "ride
height") information for each of the plurality of axles. The ride height
information can be received from the load master interface 109. In
various embodiments, the number of axles can be three. Control can then
proceed to 813 and 815, at which mode controller 101 calculates a
three-dimensional coordinate location of a vehicle center of gravity
based on the weight on axle information and the ride heights for each
axle, respectively. Control can then proceed to 817, at which mode
controller 101 can output the calculated center of gravity and ride
heights to load master interface 109, CTIS 108, active damper control
114, and chassis management system 115. Control can then proceed to 819,
at which the method 800 ends.

[0041]While the present invention has been described in conjunction with a
number of embodiments, the invention is not to be limited to the
description of the embodiments contained herein, but rather is defined by
the claims appended hereto and their equivalents. It is further evident
that many alternatives, modifications, and variations would be, or are
apparent, to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. Accordingly,
Applicant intends to embrace all such alternatives, modifications,
equivalents, and variations that are within the spirit and scope of this
invention.